Not only did the 1960s spur students into joining community causes, but it witnessed a counter-culture movement which translated into "a reaction against homogenity and a desire for distinctiveness," Riesman says.

Other groups arose as Harvard became more diverse. Mary K. Moreland '88, president of American Indians at Harvard, says the club was founded in the early 1970s shortly after Harvard began admitting a distinguishable number of American Indians. She says there has been an increase in ethnic clubs on campus because "Harvard has become committed to diversity, and having different races on campus."

With the increased diversity, many students today say, belonging to a cultural or ethnic club helps them retain a sense of cultural identity and share cultural awareness with other students.

"When you first come to Harvard, you feel alienated, and it's natural for you to search for a groups that you can identify with," says Rosa G. Rios '87, president of Ballet Folklorico de Azatlan, which performs dance concerts several times during the year, and last year founded the annual cultural festival.

"It's important to retain your cultural identity, to retain your tradition and then share it with others. Part of the Harvard experience is learning from all kinds of people and learning about their cultures," Rios says.

Andrew S. T. So '87, who helped to found the Hong Kong Club last year, says cultural clubs can help "people to become more aware about how diverse the United States' Society is."

But diversity is not restricted to ethnic background. Students also join groups with others who share common experiences.

According to Bradley H. Boyer '87, Friends of ROTC was founded three years ago for ROTC students to get together, hear speakers on relevant issues, and "make their presence known in a positive way. We're similar to any other special interest groups on campus," Boyer says.

Matthew Bank '87, president of the Gay and Lesbian Students Association (GLSA)--founded in 1971--says, "We provide a friendly atmosphere where gay and lesbian students can meet and feel free to be themselves." The GSLA now has around 40 active members and is working to educate the community about gay and lesbian issues.

Filling the Niche

Many clubs are formed to meet a perceived gap in the roster of organizations on campus.

Tsao said he helped found Model Congress last year because, although there was a Model United Nations, there was "no organization which simulated the United States Government on campus." This year the Model Congress held their second annual conference where they helped high school student from all over the country simulate a congressional session.

The recently-founded computer Society was also created to fill a niche. Former president of the club, Joseph A. Konstan '87, says the club was formed four years ago when several students realized "there was no organization on campus to get information about computers from." The Society now has about 300 members, coordinates several computer shows each year, and publishes the monthly Harvard Computer Review.

But not every club was formed in the past 15 years. Some organizations are approaching their centennial anniversaries, particularly those that cater to students' hobbies, such as singing groups or publications. The flying club, founded in 1910, still helps students obtain their pilots' licenses.

The Outing Club--now in its 40th year--provides many opportunities to get away from it all and "inevitably have a good time", says President Jon D. Leighton '88. The club coordinates hiking, biking, snowshoeing, or kayaking trips.

Founded around 1915, the wireless club takes pride in being the first in the country, says President Richard G. Listerud '87. The approximately 15 club members use radios kept in a "club shack" at the Office of Career Services to transmit messages around the globe.

"However archaic it may sound, there is a uniqueness to all of these people knowing the code," Listerud says in defense of what some might consider an out-dated form of communication.

However, the bottom line behind the increase of clubs may lie in a change in student's attitudes, Tsao says. "Students are finding more time to participate because they're making the time, even if sometimes their classes have to suffer."

And then there are the clubs that aren't. One student, who asked to remain anonymous, says he created a club just to have the rights to post notices around campus. "But don't tell Dean Epps," he says.